San Jose Peregrines

[MAK]

A sweet sight! 

[Donna]

8 days earlier then last year!! 

[Falconatic1]

Yep, Donna! Could be due to the continuing warm temps and lack of a real "winter" - I think the northeast got hit with it all!

We are now on "egg watch." #2 should come along sometime tomorrow morning (Feb. 22).

 

Debbie

[Falconatic1]

Clara laid egg # 2 at 7:13 am Pacific time this morning! She and Fernando just did some e-chupping over the eggs in the nestbo. Then Clara left and Fernando is settling in on the eggs. He is a terrific Dad!

 

Debbie

[MAK]

 

[AlisonL]

The two eggs:

[Kris G.]

Clara laid egg # 2 at 7:13 am Pacific time this morning! She and Fernando just did some e-chupping over the eggs in the nestbo. Then Clara left and Fernando is settling in on the eggs. He is a terrific Dad!

 

Debbie

Is her former mate still around?

[Donna]

Lovely eggs!!! 

[Falconatic1]

Kris, Clara's former mate, E.C. (Esteban Colbert) was seen several times last year hanging around the opposite side of the campus of San Jose State University, which is next to City Hall where the nest box is. However it is early in this season, and we don't hear from too many watchers yet. E.C. is a wild unbanded peregrine, as is Clara. Since he was displaced by Fernando as Clara's mate a couple of years ago, he sure could take off and find a new mate in a new territory. We are very fond of E.C., and will be interested to hear if he remains nearby. I will post here if anyone reports seeing him.

As a point of interest, Fernando is Clara's fourth mate in nine years. The first was Jose, who migrated away after the fledglings all dispersed the first season, and did not return. The second was Carlos, who also migrated and did not return following the second season.

Then E.C. showed up, and was with Clara for several seasons, and never left San Jose after nesting season. He fathered broods in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. After his and Clara's eggs were laid in 2012, Fernando arrived and battled it out with E.C. and chased him away. So that year Fernando was helping to incubate, feed and fledge E.C.'s babies! Fernando has also remained in the city of San Jose year round instead of migrating.

Our biologist expert reminds us that Clara is ten years old now. Wild peregrines generally are fertile and reproduce until they are about 16, so we have years to go!

Debbie

[Kris G.]

Kris, Clara's former mate, E.C. (Esteban Colbert) was seen several times last year hanging around the opposite side of the campus of San Jose State University, which is next to City Hall where the nest box is. However it is early in this season, and we don't hear from too many watchers yet. E.C. is a wild unbanded peregrine, as is Clara. Since he was displaced by Fernando as Clara's mate a couple of years ago, he sure could take off and find a new mate in a new territory. We are very fond of E.C., and will be interested to hear if he remains nearby. I will post here if anyone reports seeing him.

As a point of interest, Fernando is Clara's fourth mate in nine years. The first was Jose, who migrated away after the fledglings all dispersed the first season, and did not return. The second was Carlos, who also migrated and did not return following the second season.

Then E.C. showed up, and was with Clara for several seasons, and never left San Jose after nesting season. He fathered broods in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. After his and Clara's eggs were laid in 2012, Fernando arrived and battled it out with E.C. and chased him away. So that year Fernando was helping to incubate, feed and fledge E.C.'s babies! Fernando has also remained in the city of San Jose year round instead of migrating.

Our biologist expert reminds us that Clara is ten years old now. Wild peregrines generally are fertile and reproduce until they are about 16, so we have years to go!

Debbie

Yes, EC is the one I remember.  It was sad that year when EC lost to Fernando and he had to watch him raise his babies.  Fernando is a good mate for Clara and yay for the first eggs of the season!

[Bonnie]

There is some strong evidence, e.g. pictures from Eric, that E.C. may be taking up with the female who frequents the Campbell water tower.  When visiting San Jose, I always check out the tower which is close to where I stay.  I have photographed the Campbell peregrine for a couple of years.

[AlisonL]

At least one hatch this morning:

[patsy6]

Wow, San Jose is always way ahead of the rest!  Congrats to them!!!   

[Bonnie]

Three fluff balls.

[MAK]

Wow, San Jose is always way ahead of the rest!  Congrats to them!!!   

They have much nicer weather so they should be ahead of us Northerners!!